A consultative workshop was recently held to review critical research proposals aimed at transforming the coffee value chain.
(January 1, 2026:-ECTA)
Bishoftu, Ethiopia
In a significant move toward modernizing Ethiopia’s most vital commodity sector, a high-level consultative workshop was held on January 1, 2026, at the Bin International Hotel in Bishoftu to review critical research proposals aimed at transforming the coffee value chain.
The workshop, organized by ECTA under the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Ethiopia project, brought together elite professionals from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), and the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre (JARC). The workshop focused on proposals concerning climate change risk, the role of gender in the coffee value chain, and the assessment of technology for coffee production.
The workshop was officially opened by the Guest of Honor, Mr. Tagay Nuru, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) and Head of the Coffee, Tea, and Spice Development sector. In his opening remarks, Mr. Tagay highlighted that despite initial delays in budget releases, the technical teams have successfully moved forward with essential research proposals. He emphasized that the primary goal of the gathering was to harvest constructive inputs from diverse stakeholders to refine the upcoming full-scale research.
Dr. Zerihun Kebebew, National Coffee Platform Coordinator under the UNDP’s FOLUR-Ethiopia project gave a presentation on the three pivotal research proposals stated above. Dr. Zerihun at the end of his presentation stated that this workshop provided a platform to align the FOLUR project's deliverable outputs with ECTA’s strategic directions. He added that the FOLUR-Ethiopia project is a cornerstone initiative designed to prevent forest loss, promote restoration, and integrate sustainability into coffee value chains. Its success is vital for the livelihoods of enormous coffee-dependent people in Ethiopia.
Mr. Bonsa Merga, FOLUR-Ethiopia project focal person and Planning and Strategic Affairs Executive in ECTA, noted that while the initial drafts were prepared by an in-house team, the integration of external professional insights would be vital for the project's effectiveness. Mr. Bonsa added that "If assisted by external professionals, the results will be significantly more effective’’.
During the sessions, participants provided rigorous feedback, aligning the proposals with ECTA’s strategic directions and international sustainability standards. And, finally, Mr. Tagay Nuru concluded by directing that all identified gaps and confusing issues must be addressed immediately. He also stressed that the research must be completed in a shorter timeframe since time limit matters. Mr. Tagay pointed that this workshop marks a decisive step in Ethiopia's journey to harmonize coffee production with environmental conservation, ensuring that the Ethiopian coffee plantation areas remain resilient in the face of global climate and economic shifts, too.
Reported by: Tesfu Alemayehu
